DISTRICT ATTORNEY
Release # 120-2014
www.queensda.org
QUEENS COUNTY
125-01 QUEENS BOULEVARD
KEW GARDENS, NEW YORK 11415-1568
718-286-6000
RICHARD A. BROWN
DISTRICT ATTORNEY
CONTACT: QDA PRESS OFFICE
718-286-6315
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 2014
QUEENS AUTO BODY SHOP OWNER CHARGED WITH TAX FRAUD
FOR FAILING TO PAY MORE THAN $150,000 IN SALES TAXES
Owner Allegedly Underreported Nearly $2 Million In Repair Work;
Defendant Faces Up To 15 Years In Prison If Convicted
Queens District Attorney Richard A. Brown joined by New York State Department of Taxation and
Finance Commissioner Thomas H. Mattox, today announced that a Queens auto body shop and its owner
have been charged with grand larceny and other crimes for allegedly cheating the City and State of New
York out of more than $150,000 in collectible tax revenue.
District Attorney Brown said, “According to the charges the defendant and his auto body business
underreported $1,984,421 in taxable income over a five-year period. Tax fraud is the type of crime that
makes every New Yorker a victim. It cheats not only the government, but also the public out of muchneeded funds.”
Commissioner Mattox said, “I commend District Attorney Brown for his ongoing work to prosecute
sales tax and other revenue crimes,” said Commissioner Mattox. “The Department will continue to work
closely with local law enforcement to ensure that there is a level playing field for honest business owners.”
District Attorney Brown identified the defendant as Victor Izquierdo, 51, of 23rd Avenue in East
Elmhurst, Queens. The defendant is an owner and/or corporate officer of three corporations: Vicrob Corp.,
Auto Body by Victor and ABV 107, Inc., which operates the business Auto Body by Victor at 107-01
Northern Boulevard and 32-59 107th Street, in Corona, Queens.
Izquierdo was arraigned yesterday before Queens Criminal Court Judge Michelle Armstrong on
a criminal complaint charging him and his business with second- and third-degree grand larceny, thirddegree criminal tax fraud, first-degree falsifying business records, first-degree offering a false instrument
for filing and first-degree scheme to defraud. Izquierdo was released on his own recognizance and is due
back in court on Nov. 10, 2014. If convicted, Izquierdo faces up to fifteen years in prison. In the case of
a corporation, a felony is punishable by a fine of up to $10,000 or double the amount of the illegal gain.
District Attorney Brown said that, according to the criminal complaint, Izquierdo’s auto collision
businesses collected at least $3,207,650 from GEICO, Progressive, Travelers, Allstate and Nationwide
insurance companies between March 1, 2008, and February 28, 2013. Yet, it is alleged that Izquierdo only
reported taxable vehicle repairs totaling $1,223,229.
Vehicle repairs are subject to both New York State and New York City taxes. According to the
criminal complaint, the additional tax revenue owed to the State and City totaled $151,607.32 – with
$70,537.15 owed to New York State and $81,070.17 owed to New York City municipalities.
-MORE-
The investigation was conducted by the Criminal Investigation Division of the New York State
Department of Taxation and Finance with assistance from Sergeant Elizabeth A. Curcio and Detectives
Jeffrey A. Boyce, Joseph Brancaccio, John J. Keeley, David Matos and John R. Warner, of the District
Attorney’s Detective Bureau under the supervision of Deputy Bureau Chief Robert J. Burke and Chief
Investigator Franco Russo and by the Queens District Attorney’s Chief Forensic Accountant James Dever,
Staff Accountants John M. Murphy and Joseph Plonski and financial Analysts Andrew W. Risi and
Stephen H. Panattieri.
Assistant District Attorney Andrew H. Kaufman, Chief of the District Attorney’s Crimes Against
Revenue Unit, is prosecuting the case under the supervision of Assistant District Attorneys Anthony M.
Communiello, Bureau Chief of the District Attorney’s Special Proceedings Bureau, and Oscar W. Ruiz,
Deputy Bureau Chief, and the overall supervision of Executive Assistant District Attorney for
Investigations Peter A. Crusco and Deputy Executive Assistant District Attorney for Investigations Linda
M. Cantoni.
It should be noted that a criminal complaint is merely an accusation and that a defendant is
presumed innocent until proven guilty.
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Note to editors: press release e-version posted at www.queensda.org.